BridgesideCome inGuides for after a pet passes
Plain, careful guides for the days after a pet passes. Each one says where its facts come from.
Planning a pet funeral
How to hold a funeral or memorial for a pet, at home or online.
- How to Hold a Pet Funeral at HomeA simple, step-by-step way to hold a pet funeral at home: who to invite, what to say, how long it takes, and what to do first if your pet passed at home.
- How to Make an Online Pet Memorial (Step by Step)How to make an online pet memorial that lasts: choosing a site, picking photos, writing the story, privacy settings, and inviting family to visit.
- Online and Virtual Pet Funerals: How to Hold OneHow to hold an online or virtual pet funeral with family in other places: the options, a simple plan, tech tips, and what to say when everyone joins.
- Pet Funeral Order of Service: 4 Simple TemplatesFour ready-to-use pet funeral orders of service, from a 10-minute graveside goodbye to a Christian service, with timings and a sample printed program.
Saying goodbye
Burial, cremation, ashes and the choices in the first days.
- How to Bury a Pet at Home: Depth, Wrapping and StepsHow to bury a dog, cat or small pet at home: how deep to dig, what to wrap them in, where to place the grave, how to protect it, and a short goodbye.
- Is It Legal to Bury a Pet in Your Backyard?Backyard pet burial is allowed in many places, but rules vary by state, county, city, HOA and lease. What to check, plus state rules we could verify.
- Keeping a Pet's Ashes at Home: Urns and IdeasKeeping a pet's ashes at home: what comes back from the crematory, how to choose an urn and size it, where to place it, keepsakes, and common questions.
- Pet Cremation vs. Burial vs. AquamationPet cremation, burial and aquamation compared: how each works, private vs. communal cremation, timing, what you get back, and questions to ask.
- Pet Memorial Trees and Tree Urns: A Practical GuideHow to plant a memorial tree for a pet, with or without ashes: choosing a tree, using a tree urn, why ashes need soil mixed in, and options for renters.
- Scattering a Pet's Ashes: Where, How, and PermissionHow to scatter a pet's ashes: where it's allowed, why public land and the ocean need extra care, practical tips for wind and water, and a simple ceremony.
Words to say
Eulogies, poems you can share and what to write.
- How to Write a Pet Obituary or Tribute (With Templates)How to write a pet obituary or tribute: what to include, a fill-in template, three sample formats, where to share it, and how to keep it short.
- Pet Headstone Sayings: 80 Original Epitaph Ideas80 original pet headstone and grave marker sayings for dogs, cats, horses, birds and small pets, plus how to lay out the name, dates and one short line.
- What to Say at a Pet Funeral: Words and ExamplesWhat to say at a pet funeral: opening lines, a simple eulogy outline, examples for dogs, cats and other pets, words for kids, and closings.
- What to Say When Someone Loses a Pet: 50 MessagesWhat to say when someone's pet dies: 50 messages for a text, a card or in person, what not to say, and small ways to help in the weeks after.
Faith and pets
Prayers and customs from different traditions.
- A Buddhist Pet Memorial: Practices for Home and TempleHow Buddhist families remember a pet who has passed: what some American temples do at pet memorial services, a home altar, incense and quiet sitting.
- Catholic Prayers for a Pet Who Has DiedCatholic prayers and Douay-Rheims Scripture for a pet who has died, what the Church teaches about animals, and a simple family prayer service at home.
- Christian Prayers and Bible Verses for a Pet FuneralBible verses (King James Version) and original Christian prayers for a pet funeral or burial, with a simple order, hymn ideas and words for children.
- Jewish Traditions When a Pet Dies: Prayers and IdeasWhat Jewish tradition says about mourning a pet, where rabbis differ on Kaddish and shiva, JPS 1917 psalms, and a family remembrance.
- Non-Religious Pet Funeral Readings and WordsSecular readings for a pet funeral: original pieces to read aloud, a public domain classic, a toast, and a simple non-religious order.
Grief and support
What grief can feel like, and where to find help.
- How to Explain a Pet's Death to a ChildHow to tell a child their pet died: words to use and avoid, how to explain euthanasia, what to expect, and ways kids can say goodbye.
- Pet Loss Support: Hotlines, Free Groups and HelpU.S. pet loss hotlines and free support groups, checked November 2026, plus when to see a counselor. In crisis, call or text 988 anytime.
- The First Holidays and Anniversary Without Your PetWays to get through the first Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday and one-year anniversary without your pet, with small rituals and what to tell family.
- When Another Pet Is Grieving: Signs and How to HelpDo dogs and cats grieve another pet? What studies of owners report, common signs, whether to let them see the body, how to help, and when to call the vet.
Every kind of pet
Remembering dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses and more.
- Bird Memorial Ideas: Remembering a Parrot, Budgie or HenWays to remember a pet bird, from saved feathers and song recordings to a memorial bird feeder, and what to do first if a bird dies suddenly.
- Cat Memorial Ideas: Gentle Ways to Remember Your CatCat memorial ideas: a windowsill memorial, collar and bell keepsakes, paw prints, a catnip garden, and care for the cats left behind.
- Dog Memorial Ideas: 25 Ways to Remember Your Dog25 dog memorial ideas, from a last walk on the favorite route to a collar shadow box, paw print keepsakes, a garden stone, a tree and an online memorial.
- Hamster, Guinea Pig and Fish: Small Pet MemorialsSaying goodbye to a hamster, guinea pig, gerbil, rat or fish: burying a small pet, why not to flush a fish, cremation, and ideas for kids.
- Horse Memorial Ideas and Aftercare OptionsWays to remember a horse, from mane and tail keepsakes to a horseshoe plaque, plus burial, cremation and aftercare rules to check first.
- Rabbit Memorial Ideas and Caring for a Bonded BunnyWays to remember a pet rabbit, how to bury or cremate one, and how to help a bonded rabbit who lost its partner, including when to call a vet.
- Reptile Memorial Ideas: Lizards, Snakes and TurtlesSaying goodbye to a bearded dragon, gecko, snake, turtle or tortoise: safe handling, burial or cremation, not dumping, and memorial ideas.
Read the funeral words by tradition
When you are ready
You can hold a free funeral for your pet here, and invite the people who loved them.
Hold a free funeral